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After six years, twice-convicted killer is ordered to stand trial on new Oakland murder charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

OAKLAND — Six years after he was arrested and charged with murder in an Oakland shooting that preceded a bizarre series of police chases, a 56-year-old man has been ordered to stand trial, court records show.William Epting, of Oakland, is one of Santa Rita Jail’s longest occupants, and his past six years behind bars have been storied. Charged with killing a man for the third time in his life, Epting was coerced by Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies to throw urine and feces at disfavored inmates, and later testified against the deputies in one of the jail’s biggest corruption scandals in recent memory. He has also cycled through four different lawyers, the latest of which is arguing that authorities failed to recognized obvious signs that Epting was mentally ill when they detained and questioned him in 2017.Epting, who has two prior manslaughter convictions, is charged with killing Edgar Trammel, his neighbor, in a July 22, 2017 shooting on the 2700 block of 75...

San Francisco man sentenced to 26 years for killing teen, assaulting deputies, trying to smuggle drugs into Santa Rita Jail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — A Bay Area man whose family members have been both implicated in violent crimes and experienced tragedy after tragedy has been sentenced to 26 years in federal prison for killing a 19-year-old man in a gang-related quintuple shooting, court records show.Jonathan Escobar, 26, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, three months after Escobar pleaded guilty to using a firearm in a crime of violence, as well as two other felony charges related to assaulting deputies and trying to smuggle drugs into Santa Rita Jail. Escobar’s co-defendant, 34-year-old Jose “Slim” Aguilar, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, court records show.Escobar’s tumultuous and tragic history may have saved him an even worse penalty. In court papers, prosecutors said they took his youth and extremely unstable upbringing into consideration and decided against filing a murder charge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizati...

More victims ID'd after San Mateo summer camp staffer arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

(KRON) -- A Boys and Girls Club employee who worked at a San Mateo summer camp program is accused of victimizing multiple young boys, according to prosecutors. On Monday, prosecutors released more disturbing details about what happened at a summer camp held at Fiesta Gardens International School at 1001 Bermuda Drive in San Mateo. Kevin Granados-Elizalde, 25, of Redwood City, preyed on boys between ages 7-8 while he worked as an assistant site director at the school, according to prosecutors and police. The Boys and Girls Club’s website states that its free summer camp program at Fiesta Gardens International School is for students in grades between kindergarten and fifth grade.According to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, Granados-Elizalde later confessed to police that he is addicted to child pornography.Prosecutors said Granados-Elizalde took an 8-year-old boy into a bathroom, ordered the boy to take off his clothing, and took photographs of the boy's body. In ano...

Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

Churchill Downs is extending Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension through 2024.Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Monday it was continuing Baffert’s ban citing “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses to CDI-owned racetracks.”Baffert was initially suspended for two years after 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.In a statement, Churchill Downs said Baffert continues to peddle false narratives about Medina Spirit’s failed drug test. The company went on to say it will re-evaluate Baffert’s status after 2024.A message sent to a lawyer representing Baffert was not immediately returned.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Churchill Downs extends Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024, citing continued concerns about safety and integrity of racing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs extends Bob Baffert’s ban through 2024, citing continued concerns about safety and integrity of racing.Source

Senegalese President Macky Sall announces he will not seek a third term after deadly protests by opposition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegalese President Macky Sall announces he will not seek a third term after deadly protests by opposition.Source

Behind the scenes of the (legal) DC-area fireworks stand: A tradition old as freedom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

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3 kids, 2 adults hurt in Aurora rollover crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Five people were taken to the hospital after a rollover crash Sunday afternoon, the Aurora Police Department said. At approximately 12:31 p.m. Aurora Fire Rescue responded to a rollover crash around Picadilly Street and Hampden Avenue. 1 killed, 1 seriously injured after car crashes into tree Five people were involved, three were children, Aurora PD said. The children's ages are unknown. AFR said four patients had life-threatening injuries and one had non-life-threatening injuries. Police said all westbound traffic on Hampden was closed from Gun Club Road. This is a developing story and updates will be provided as they are received.

1 killed, 1 seriously hurt after car crashes into tree

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A driver was killed and a passenger injured after the car they were traveling in crashed into a tree, the Thornton Police Department said.The incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday in the area of East 123rd Avenue and Steele Street, police said. Officials on high alert for holiday weekend travel heading into the busy summer season The driver died at the scene and the passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, TPD said. The crash is under investigation and it is not known whether speed or alcohol/drugs were involved.

Cherry Creek Reservoir boat ramp closed ahead of July 4 weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:48 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) -- Independence Day weekend typically has the most amount of visitors for Cherry Creek State Park. Colorado Parks and Wildlife expects the park to reach capacity limits from Sunday until Tuesday. Just days before the busy holiday weekend Cherry Creek State Park officials decided to close the east boat ramp. Park crews said portions of the east ramp are submerged due to recent heavy rains, and higher reservoir levels have not receded to safe operating depth for boats to launch.The east boat ramp will remain closed until water levels recede. The west boat ramp is open as the only option for boaters through the Fourth of July. Officials on high alert for holiday weekend travel heading into the busy summer season The parking lot next to the east boat ramp will be open and hand-launched vessels like paddleboards and kayaks are allowed from the shoreline. Once the lot reaches capacity the park will not allow any more cars in unless visitors have an active campgr...